VIDEO clip: Just Do It (5.14c)

On a random day last May, I climbed to the top of one of my proudest ascents thus far. There were no photographers dangling from fixed lines, no tripods set up on the hillside. I was in project mode, but otherwise it was just a casual day at the crag with friends. Something clicked that day, and I decided not to let go. I fought hard, and apparently some passersby on the overlook above noticed my yelps and whimpers (now referred to by friends as “muppeting”) and decided to film. From what I understand, they weren’t climbers, they just noticed a scene going down that seemed worth documenting. If I passed someone making these noises whilst partaking in sport, I would likely whip out my camera as well. I’m not proud of these noises, but they’ve somehow evolved over the past year or two, and I make them frequently when I try my hardest. If they get me to the top, I suppose I don’t mind.

This video begins about halfway through the crux of Just Do It, at the hueco jug that splits the most difficult moves into two distinct sections. While I’ve already climbed through what most people label as the distinct “crux”, I think this second section was more difficult for me.